Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.7 | 216,123 people · 6th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Lackawanna County, PA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.7 — 974th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 6th of 67 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lackawanna County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 75.4 — worse than roughly 75% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 75.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 73
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 76
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 83
Economic Vitality 68.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 52
House Price Change (YoY) 34
Structural Poverty 58.7
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 71
Child Poverty Rate 59
Disability Rate 53
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Consumer Credit Distress 53.3
Debt in Collections 57
Medical Debt 63
Auto Loan Delinquency 51
Credit Card Delinquency 57
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 57
Legal Distress 45.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lackawanna County
Lackawanna County, PA 59.7 Elevated —
Monroe County, PA 68.2 Serious +8.5
Luzerne County, PA 62.1 Elevated +2.3
Wayne County, PA 43.4 Normal -16.3
Susquehanna County, PA 40.7 Normal -19.1
Wyoming County, PA 39.3 Normal -20.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lackawanna County
Columbiana County, OH 59.7 Elevated 0.0
Isabella County, MI 59.8 Elevated +0.0
Vanderburgh County, IN 59.8 Elevated +0.1
Athens County, OH 59.8 Elevated +0.1
Coffee County, TN 59.8 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Lackawanna County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Lackawanna County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Lackawanna County.

NEIGHBORWORKS NORTHEASTERN PA/NHS OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY
Scranton
570-558-2490 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/Rehab
UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Scranton
570-343-8835 Website
Homeless/DisplacementRental Help

See all counselors in Pennsylvania →

Find an Attorney

Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-932-0311

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Lackawanna County residents at no cost.

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia 215-981-3700
MidPenn Legal Services 1-800-326-9177
Neighborhood Legal Services Association 412-255-6700
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN)
Laurel Legal Services, Inc. (800) 253-9558
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (877) 429-5994
North Penn Legal Services, Inc. (877) 953-4250
Northwestern Legal Services (814) 452-6957
Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center (215) 981-3800
Summit Legal Aid (800) 846-0871

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Pennsylvania →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania?

    Lackawanna County has a County Distress Index score of 59.7 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 974th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lackawanna County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lackawanna County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 75.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lackawanna County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lackawanna County (59.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Monroe County, PA (68.2); Luzerne County, PA (62.1); Wayne County, PA (43.4).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Lackawanna County's score of 59.7 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Lackawanna County's CDI score?

    Lackawanna County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Lackawanna County?

    Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 216,123 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.